60: Chapter 60 The four women are worried, Chen Xuan comforts them.

The night wind crept in through the window cracks, causing a corner of the map on the desk to flutter slightly.

Chen Xuan stood before the table, his finger still pressed on the red circle labeled "Qingpu Town Old Residence," when he heard the faint sound of the courtyard gate.

He turned his head and saw four figures standing side by side under the moonlight.

Leng Shuang walked at the front, her white robe clinging to her body in the wind, making her look like a beauty carved from snow.

She didn't speak, only staring at him. Zhao Hongling followed closely behind, hands on her hips, her brows knitted together. "The lamp in your room has been lit for so long; are you coming up with another suicidal plan?"

Dugu Xue stood slightly behind them, her gaze calm. She glanced at the half-open study door and said softly, "Sleeplessness late at night implies hidden worries."

Liu Ruyan was the last to enter, her steps very light. She only looked up when she reached the porch, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible. "We've all heard."

Chen Xuan was stunned for a moment, then he burst out laughing.

"Oh? Is this a group inspection?"

He turned to pick up the teapot and poured five cups of hot tea.

Pushing a cup toward each person, he said, "Sit down. Standing is tiring. My courtyard isn't the Ministry of Justice's Hall; there's no need to line up for questioning."

Zhao Hongling sat down with a thud, picked up the tea and drank, puffing from the heat but not letting go. "Stop being glib! There are rumors outside saying you've touched a line you shouldn't have, and even people in the palace are watching you. Is it true?"

Chen Xuan leaned against the back of the chair, crossing his legs, still wearing that lazy expression. "Who's spreading that? Which teahouse's Old Wang? He lost three strings of coins to me in gambling last month and has been holding a grudge ever since."

"Don't play me for a fool."

Zhao Hongling slapped the table, making the teacup jump. "I know you're best at playing dumb. But this time is different; it involves the high levels of the Imperial Court. If something really happens to you, we..."

She paused, biting her lip, unable to continue.

Leng Shuang finally spoke, her voice cold and clear. "You don't have to hide it from us. We already know what you're investigating. If the danger is too great, it's better to set it aside for now."

Chen Xuan glanced at her and saw her arms crossed over her chest, her fingertips turning slightly white, clearly trying hard to restrain her emotions. He lowered his legs and sat up straighter.

"I'm very happy that you all came to ask about my safety."

He smiled, his eyes gentle. "It shows that people still care about this salted fish."

Liu Ruyan lowered her head and toyed with the edge of her tea bowl, saying softly, "We just don't want anything to happen to you."

"I know."

Chen Xuan nodded, his tone becoming serious. "I'm also afraid of dying. I want to live for many more decades, eat all the delicacies in the world, and see all the scenery of the Jianghu. More importantly..."

He looked at each of them in turn. "I have to bring all of you safely into old age."

Dugu Xue looked up at him. "But the waters of the Imperial Court are deep; one wrong step leads to eternal damnation. Even if you are clever, there's no guarantee you won't make a mistake."

"So I won't force it."

Chen Xuan leaned back again, his smile returning. "Do you think I'm the type of person who rushes forward with hot-blooded passion?

Wrong. What I'm best at is playing dumb, avoiding trouble, and idling my days away. The more dangerous the place, the longer I live.

If you don't believe me, go ask around. Of those hot-headed Geniuses, nine out of ten were buried long ago, and the remaining one only survived by playing the fool."

Zhao Hongling couldn't help but smile, then quickly straightened her face. "You just love to show off!"

"I'm not showing off." Chen Xuan looked at her, his gaze suddenly darkening. "I'm serious. I know how dangerous this is. So I will be careful, I will take detours, and I will wait for the right moment. I won't back down from what needs to be investigated, but I won't let you all worry for me either."

He stood up and walked over to them, looking at each one.

"Leng Shuang, when you practice your sword, you always say the heart must be still. My heart is very still right now."

He winked at her. "If you don't believe me, try taking my pulse; my heartbeat hasn't even sped up."

Leng Shuang pursed her lips and didn't speak, but her crossed arms slowly relaxed.

"Hongling, you have a quick temper, but I value my life even more than you do." He reached out and flicked her forehead. "If you're really worried about me, stop shouting about storming the palace gates for me every day. That's just seeking death."

Zhao Hongling covered her forehead and stomped her foot. "Who wants to go for you! I'm not that stupid!"

"Dugu Xue, you're a Princess and understand power plays." Chen Xuan turned to her. "You're right, the waters of the Imperial Court are deep. But precisely because they're deep, no one will watch a wandering fish. I'll just linger by the water's edge and cast my hook only when I'm sure. Who can do anything to me?"

Dugu Xue gazed at him for a moment and finally nodded slightly. "If you need anything from the Northern Frontier, just speak."

"Liu Ruyan."

He finally looked at her, his voice very soft. "I don't want you to carry guilt. This matter isn't your debt alone; it's my choice. I'm investigating because I want to protect the people around me, including you."

Liu Ruyan's eyes grew hot, and she lowered her head, her fingers tightly gripping the tea bowl.

The courtyard was quiet for a while, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind.

Chen Xuan walked back to the table and refilled their water, talking as he poured. "Besides, my luck has always been quite good.

Think about it. Whenever I saved you, when did I not turn danger into safety? The day Leng Shuang was under the influence of an aphrodisiac, I was almost pierced through the heart by your sword;

That time Hongling escaped her wedding, the pursuers were only three inches from the back of my head;

The night Dugu Xue was ambushed, I found a way out through a rain of arrows;

That time Liu Ruyan was surrounded on the Flower Boat, the fire had already reached the soles of my shoes, yet aren't I still alive and kicking?"

"That's because you're lucky!" Zhao Hongling couldn't help but say.

"Being lucky is also a skill."

He grinned. "And I'm not walking alone now. I have you all. Your concern is my foundation."

Leng Shuang finally let go of the hand she had been pressing on her sword hilt and said softly, "Then promise us you won't take risks."

"I promise." Chen Xuan raised his right hand as if making an oath. "I will never face head-on what can be avoided, and I will never rush what can be delayed. Investigating is one thing, but life is what matters."

"That's more like it." Zhao Hongling huffed, took a large gulp of tea, but was choked by the now cold tea, her face turning red from coughing.

Chen Xuan smiled and handed her a handkerchief. "See? That quick temper just can't be changed. Shout less in the future and save some energy."

"None of your business!" She snatched the handkerchief to wipe her mouth and turned away, though the corners of her mouth twitched upward slightly.

Dugu Xue stood up. "It's late; we shouldn't stay long. Since you know what you're doing, we won't disturb you further."

"Wait." Chen Xuan called out to her, pulling a folded slip of paper from his robe and handing it over. "This is a Capital Defense Map I had someone copy yesterday. Although it's the official version, if there's any movement in the Northern Frontier, you can use it to track the city's defense deployments. Don't look down on it; it's better than nothing."

Dugu Xue took it, glanced at him, and solemnly tucked it into her sleeve.

Liu Ruyan also rose, looking back at him before leaving. "You... must be careful."

"Don't worry." He waved his hand at her. "I'm someone who can't even bear to see your tears; how could I let anything happen to myself?"

She finally smiled, a shallow one, like a spring breeze brushing across a lake.

The four left the courtyard one by one. Chen Xuan saw them to the door, advising each, "Rest early; there are things to do tomorrow."

Leng Shuang walked a few steps, then suddenly stopped, her fingertips lightly touching her sword hilt before withdrawing. She didn't turn back, only saying softly, "The night wind is cold; don't sit for too long."

"Got it, Mother," Chen Xuan replied cheekily.

Zhao Hongling turned and glared at him. "If you're glib again, I'll bring a broom to hit you tomorrow!"

"Come then, just help me sweep the courtyard." He waved. "Remember to bring some sugar-roasted chestnuts as payment!"

Laughter drifted away with the night wind, and the courtyard gate closed again.

Chen Xuan returned to the study and relit the oil lamp. He sat at the desk, staring at the map for a long time without moving.

Outside, the moonlight was as clear as water, illuminating the room.

He raised his hand and lightly rubbed his nose, a gentle movement that nonetheless carried a hint of ruthlessness.

The wind hadn't picked up yet, but it was time to prepare for the waves.